Hogan Overacts!

[Low_Ki]

Bland statement isn't it?

This week's Impact Wrestling was actually quite enjoyable on my part, sans the Jeff Hardy segment and the backstage segment with Bischoff and Hogan.

Now I know Hogan has been using the same mannerisms and all that for all the years he has been in the wrestling business, but the way he over acted when he was told by Bischoff about the three way match for the world title, made me laugh.

I know I'm moaning, but as big as Hogan is in the wrestling business, his ability to act 'natural' on screen has always been a pet peeve of mine.

You look at Flair, and even though he goes OTT occasionally, he has a very natural way about him on the mic, you believe what is being said.

Am I overreacting to this? Am I being too nitpicky? If so, I do apologise, what is everyone's opinion on Hogan ability to act on screen? If in any doubt, check out this awesome video of Hogan calling himself gay in front of McMahon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7yP-T3ZCsg

 

[Zeven_Zion]

Newsflash: that's how larger than life characters are.

You think Randy Savage doesn't overact? How about The Rock? I wonder what The Ultimate Warrior would say about this. Or maybe even Mr.McMahon. Hogan's not excluded in this list. Sting sure as hell has a lot to add to this discussion.

It's common practice for people to overact. That's what makes them ... them. Hogan overacts, Savage overacts, Rock overacts, Flair overacts. Steve Austin doesn't. Shawn Michaels doesn't.

Some do it, some don't. Doesn't mean overacting is a good thing. Look at Robbie E. But the people who do it simply do it well.

Take an actor for example. An actor called Jim Carrey. He's built a career on something that is largely considered to be an acting flaw and that is overacting. But he does it good, it's entertaining, people like it so he continues to do it and build on it.

It's the exact same thing with Hogan and every other wacky wrestler out there. Wrestling is about acting and overacting anyway. Hogan's not the first and he won't be the last.

There's good overacting - Savage, Flair, Hogan. And the there's bad overacting - Mr.Anderson.

Whether you like it or not is completely subjective and either way it works for Hogan. It worked for years and it will continue to work until the day he croaks. That's who his character is, that's how he embedded his name in pro wrestling's history forever. I personally enjoy it and I must say it's a lost art. One that needs to be practiced more by wrestlers. Practiced and controlled.

And yes, you are being nitpicky.

 

[This Is My Name Thank You]

A lot of wrestlers over act, it is just a means of finding the ones you like and don’t like. I personally can't stand when Ric Flair over reacts as it gets highly annoying. But I just tend to deal with it as millions of people must enjoy what he does. Whether or not it bothers you just sit back and enjoy the show.

 

[Casban]

I know what you mean but i dont think the over-acting is the problem. as mentioned above many wrestlers are over the top. the problem with Hogan for me is he uses the word "Brother" in every other sentence and i hate it to the point where i am listening out for it then it makes me cringe.
Just a quick question...in the days where he was a full time wrestler did he use it that much?
Also every week he seems to mentioned "stepping it up a gear" "taking it to the next level" and usually these quotes only end up making a match a 3-way or a 4-way instead of a Single.
I dont like heel Hogan this time around and i dont like that he is "in charge" of Impact.
I know he has a Match with Sting at BFG but another thing that grates on me is that he takes up a ridiculous ammount of tv time for someone who doesnt wrestler.
It does make me wonder what he is going to be doing after this Immortal thing is over and done with.

 

[candy girl]

@ casban hulk continuing to use the word ''brother'' in every sentence he say's isn't any different than the rock saying........ FINALLY!!! THE ROCK HAS COME BACK TO ''INSERT'' whatever state wwe is in at the time, or his use of WHOOPIN YOUR CANDY ASS ALL OVER THIS ARENA!! that's just part of the character, it's what makes them who they are.

 

[Brian in Austin]

I get what you're saying about Hogan overacting and yes he was. For my part I thought that and the Hardy segment were both horrible. Other than that, I'm enjoying most of the in-ring action and promos by guys like Bully Ray and Beer Money. I feel like those 3 are really coming into their own now and I have to admit that I underestimated Bully (Bubba) Ray and his ability to work the mic on his own and to be successful as a singles wrestler. He had me wondering the other night just how successful he'd be as World Champ, so I'm really curious to see if it's going to be he, or Roode that gets the nod. Will they give Ray a run as champ in honor of all his years and achievements in tag team wrestling? Or will they put the strap on Roode and then have a Ray/Roode war that brings us back to the days of Flair/Rhodes? How awesome would THAT be?

 

[Brian in Austin]

As an aside, no, you aren't nitpicking. Hogan was over the top this week and he needs to relearn nuance. It's something that Ray has perfected. Is there good over the top? Yes. Flair!!! That's it! You think anyone would go crazy for The Warrior anymore, running out to the ring like a nut? The Rock? He's over the top? How so? He's very measured in the things he does and says in the ring and for good reason. He's protecting his brand, if you will. Austin's antics were often over the top, but his attitude certainly wasn't. So his delivery was perfect timing most of the time. Mr. McMahon. Of COURSE he's over the top because that's what he sold us as the character "Mr. McMahon." But Hogan, while his brashness has always been a part of his persona, didn't really OVERact in the way you are referring to here. He might have been seen as sappy with his "Say your prayers, take your vitamins" line, but he didn't overact it. Big difference between then and now. HUGE!

 

[UltimateHitman]

I totally understand what you're getting at. And maybe it's because I've never been a Hogan mark, but I also felt that same way.

Yes, I understand wrestling is all about the "over the top" characters and mannerisms. I do like Miz, and he tends to go overboard most of the time. But the difference is also in how the individual comes across.

To me, most of the characters/wrestlers/superstars/entertainers (I think that about covers everything these days...) have a natural, fluid feel to them. Like I can believe they're acting like that and it's who they are (I know, on screen).

When I watched Ted DiBiase Sr., I felt I was watching Ted DiBiase Sr. When I watched Randy Savage, I felt I was watching Randy Savage. Even watching guys like Miz and Rock, I felt I was watching Mike Mizanin and Dwayne Johnson.

Not Hulk. When I watched Hogan, I felt like I was watching some phony ass, unbelievable, acting like that for the sake of overacting, nutjob. It felt fake. Even back in his heyday, when everybody and his uncle were acting like that during promos (i.e. Big Boss Man, etc.) I still couldn't shake the fact that he was overdoing it. And overdoing it in the 80's era is definitely an almost impossible feat. Hell, I even think that every time I see him from his reality show to his commercials to his movies. (Side note, I do sympathize w/the poor bastard over the divorce though. That gold digging psycho hose beast Linda definitely doesn't deserve anything more than what she's gotten from Hulk over the years, but that's another topic.)

So, yeah, don't think, or let people make you think, you're overreacting or nitpicky. I know exactly what you're talking about. Unfortunately, I missed that segment because I was in the middle of something, but I did hear it. And even just hearing it made me almost vomit.

 

[Casban]

@ casban hulk continuing to use the word ''brother'' in every sentence he say's isn't any different than the rock saying........ FINALLY!!! THE ROCK HAS COME BACK TO ''INSERT'' whatever state wwe is in at the time, or his use of WHOOPIN YOUR CANDY ASS ALL OVER THIS ARENA!! that's just part of the character, it's what makes them who they are.

it is though when The rock says that it has everyone on their feet so to speak and he only says it once in a show. Hulk says the same word every sentece. i get its his catchphrase and there is nothing wrong with that its just that it does make me cringe slightly to hear it after every sentence i just feel it would be slightly less annoying if he just used it a couple times a promo rather than constantly

 

[Deus1138]

Hogan's over acting is one of the things that made him a larger than life character back in the day. The over acting played well to large crowds in huge arenas and crappy tv cameras that broadcasted to crappy, small tv's. The way actors act on stage is much more excessive and overly dramatic so everyone, not just the front row, can get what the emotion is the actor is trying to portray. Hogan's method doesn't work as well now that the cameras can zoom in closer, they're recording in hi def, and we're watching him on a 60 inch tv.

Hogan has over acted for years. It just wasn't as noticeable in the 80's and 90's. Now, it's obvious, but he's so use to doing it, he'll probably never change.